Cell block splitting machine



L. A. HARPER CELL BLOCK SPLITI'ING MACHINE Feb. 3, 1970 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 18, 1967 INVENTOR.

Feb. 3, 1970 L. A. HARPER CELL BLOCK SPLITTING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 18, 1967 7 M .z v I 2 mu q 7 w if Sul- V/fl////// Z////////////// 7///// m a "i" g /7 w. K Wu Wm W 3 2 8 x 3 w Feb. 3, 1970 L. A. HARPER CELL BLOCK SPLITTING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 18. 1967 mvsmon Z aware 7 #9171:

United States Patent 3,492,984 CELL BLOCK SPLITTING MACHINE Leonard A. Harper, West Palm Beach, Fla., assignor of one-third to R. H. Semon and one-third to Peter E.

White, both of West Palm Beach, Fla.

Filed Sept. 18, 1967, Ser. No. 668,495 Int. Cl. B28d N22 US. Cl. 12523 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention comprises a frame adapted to slide over and abut opposed sides and the top of a cellular concrete block. Said frame supports slidable cutting blades positioned in said frame on each side of the block; and, wedge members supporting spring loaded cutter blades, positioned to abut the inner cell wall of said concrete block, and aligned with the first said cutter blades.

This invention relates to cellular concrete block splitting or cutting machines; and more particularly is directed to light weight portable sliding blade devices for splitting or cutting cellular concrete blocks.

An object of this invention is to provide a light weight splitter or cutter for cellular concrete blocks, which may be carried by the mason onto the scaffolding and used in laying courses of cellular concrete blocks to accurately fit the conditions found in laying such courses of blocks.

Another object of this invention is to provide a light weight, adjustable frame, which may be slidably positioned on cellular concrete blocks, and provided with adjustable spring loaded cutter blades fitting inside the cell of the concrete block, and aligned cutter blades slidably mounted in said frame and positioned outside said block.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the class described in which the slidable cutter blades extend substantially the distance to be cut or split.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of the class described which will be simple and economical in construction, and efiicient and durable in use.

The invention will be more fully understood from the following specification, taken in conjunction with the drawings, forming a part thereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the device of this invention positioned on a cellular concrete block and ready for use;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device of this invention positioned on a cellular concrete block and ready for use;

FIG. 3 is an end elevation of the device of this invention positioned on a cellular concrete block that has been split, showing the concrete block as split;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal crosssectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing modification of the spring mounted internal cutter blades, and cutter blades employing serration; and

FIG. 8 is a detailed view showing the lock nut and bolt assembly for providing sliding features and removability of the cutter blades and wedge members.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like members are given the same reference numeral, a cellular concrete block is indicated generally as 1. The frame for the device of this invention is provided with a co-planar channel structure which may be cast, but preferably fabricated 3,492,984 Patented Feb. 3, 1970 from angle members, comprising a pair of spaced angle members 2 adapted and positioned to rest upon the top of the cellular block 1; two sets of pairs of aligned spaced angle members 3 adapted and positioned to abut opposed sides of the cellular block 1 and secured to the top angle members 2, in any suitable manner, preferably spot welding.

The three aforesaid sets of spaced angle members define an aligned channel therebetween. The side members 3 have aligned apertures 6 in the extended legs 7 of the angle members 3 to receive bolts 7 having a pair of lock nuts 8 thereon. A pair of spacer washers 9 may be employed to define increased abutting surface for the bolt 7' and nut 8 assembly.

Each of the aligned spaced angle members have a pair of these elongated aligned apertures 6 receiving the same bolt 7 and nut 8 assembly, and if employed washer 9 assemblies. Preferably two such apertures and bolt and nut assemblies are employed in the extending legs 7 of each set of spaced angle members, although more may be employed if desired.

In each of the outside channels defined by the angle members 3, an elongated cutter blade 11 provided with a tapping boss 12 is slidably mounted. These cutter blades 11 terminate in a hardened cutting point 13, and are mounted on bolts 7' extending through elongated transverse apertures 14 in the blades 11 so that the cutter blade slides transversely of the concrete block 1 and is held in proper alignment by the bolts 7 in the transverse elongated slots 14.

A pair of internal cutter blades 20 slidably mounted to the extending legs of upper or top pair of angular members 2 by means of the same bolt 7 and nuts 8 assembly and elongated slots 6 and 14 positioned in the angle members 2, and the upper portion of these cutter blades 20, respectively. A pair of spaced wedge shaped members 15 have two sets of spaced parallel elongated slots 18 and 19 respectively to receive bolt 7 and bolt 8 assemblies to slidably mount thereon the internal cutter blades 20 having apertures 14 to receive the bolts 7. These pair of cutter blades 20 terminate in pointed hardened cutter surfaces 21 aligned with the adjacent cutter blade cutting surface 13 on the slidable external cutter blades 11. The internal cutter blades 20 are held against the inner surface of the cell wall of the block 1 by resilient compressive means 23, preferably compression spring members secured to said internal cutter blades 20. These compressive resilient members, preferably springs 23, urge the internal cutter blades 20 against the surface of the cell walls of the block 1.

In positioning the device on a cell block 1 to be split or cut, the framework is placed with the external angle members 3 on the outside of the block 1 and pressed down over the block until the top angle member 2 abut the top of the block 1. Due to the elongated slots 14 in the external cutter blades 11, by tapping the boss 12 with a hammer 30 the cutter blade 11 slides against the wall of the cell block 1 and splits or cuts that side of the block 1 the length of the cutter blade 11, which is the same length as the block 1. By tapping the boss 12 on the other cutter blade 11 the other side of the block is split. The spring loaded internal cutter blades 20 are backing splitting blades, and the spring tension not only permits them to be positioned flat against the sloping cell wall substantially its whole height or length, but also provides the slight resiliency to absorb the impact 0! the external cutter blade.

Due to the particular construction, by removal of the double lock nuts 8, cutter blades 11 and 20 may be easily removed for sharpening or replacement.

As illustrated in the modification of FIG. 7, the cutter surfaces may be serrations as indicated at 13 and 21; re-

spectively; and, the spring members may be of any form, such as the helical U-shaped springs 23.

The invention has been described in detail for the purposes of illustration; but, it is understood that the invention is not so limited, because many changes and modifications can be made therein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A cell block splitting machine comprising a substantially U-shaped frame adapted to be slidably positioned on a cellular concrete block, aligned channels in opposed legs of said U-shaped frame, said channels communicating with the outside surface of said concrete block, a cutter blade positioned in each of said channels, means slidably mounting said cutter blade to said frame, a pair of cutter blades slidably mounted to the center leg of said U-shaped frame and adapted to be positioned in the cell of said cellular concrete block, resilient means urging each of said second mentioned cutter blades towards of the cell wall of said cellular concrete block.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said first mentioned cutter blades are provided with elongated apertures and secured to the frame by means of bolt and nut assemblies.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said frame is composed of angle members defining a co-planar channel therebetween.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said angle members have one leg thereof adapted to abut the surface of a concrete block and the other leg thereof extending outwardly therefrom.

5. The device of claim 3 wherein the extending legs of said angle members are provided with apertures to receive nut and bolt assemblies and support cutter blade having elongated apertures to receive said bolts.

6. A cell block splitting machine comprising a substantially U-shaped frame adapted to be slidably positioned on a cellular concrete block, aligned channels in opposed legs of said U-shaped frame, said channels communicating with the outside surface of said concrete block, a cutter blade positioned in each of said channels, means slidably mounting said cutter blade to said frame, a pair of cutter blades slidably mounted to the center leg of said U-shaped frame and adapted to be positioned in the cell of said cellular concrete block, a pair of wedged shaped members positioned on each side of said second mentioned cutter blade, aligned elongated apertures in said wedged shaped members and said cutter blade therebetween, bolt and nut assemblies slidably mounting said cutter blades and wedge shaped members, resilient means between said wedged shaped members and fastened to said cutter blades therebetween urging said cutter blades in opposite direction.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said resilient means is spring members.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein said resilient means is compression spring members.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein said frame comprises angle members have one leg thereof adapted to abut the surface of a concrete block and the other leg thereof extending outwardly therefrom, and each extending leg thereof has at least two apertures for mounting said cutter blades.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,746,447 5/ 1956 Petch 23 2,772,671 12/1956 Nowak 12523 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,348,931 2/1963 France.

HAROLD D. WHITEHEAD, Primary Examiner 

